My child has difficulty eating, please help!

Feeding issues are a major concern for many parents. Children may exhibit sensory sensitivities, motor difficulties, and strong preferences for certain foods (e.g., strong preferences for colors or textures), which can lead to eating problems.

Today, we're going to talk about how to introduce children to a variety of foods and some tips you can apply at home.

1. Understanding Your Child's Eating Habits

1) Children who are stubborn about color/appearance

Some children insist on eating only certain colored foods, such as white (e.g., bread, pasta) or yellow (e.g., bananas, corn). These preferences may stem from visual processing sensitivity.

2) A child who is picky about one food

You may become fixated on a particular food, such as chicken nuggets or a particular brand of yogurt. This behavior may stem from familiarity, texture, or taste preferences.

3) Children with motor problems and sensory sensitivity

You may be sensitive to certain textures and refuse to eat a variety of foods, or you may have difficulty with certain oral motor skills, such as chewing or swallowing, making it difficult to eat foods with different textures.

4) Children with physical health problems

As I've discussed in other posts ( see "The Second Brain: Gut Health and Its Impact on Autism Treatment "), some children may require special attention to their gastrointestinal health. Certain foods can cause indigestion or abdominal pain, and because they're still young and can't verbalize this, it can manifest as refusal to eat or a lack of appetite.

 

2. How should we deal with each type?

1) Children who are stubborn about color/appearance

For children who are particular about eating only one color of food, it is important to gradually introduce new colors to them and get them used to them.

- Please take a step-by-step approach: Try introducing foods that are similar in color or shape but slightly different. If your child prefers white foods, try introducing small amounts of light yellow or beige foods.

- Associate it with a positive experience: It's okay if your child doesn't eat right away. Initially, simply resisting the idea of a new food on their plate will give them another reward.

- Approach it like a game :

If your child is a little younger, there is something on the table How about a food color matching game ? Make eating fun by playing a game like guessing the colors you eat, the colors others eat, or the names of the colors on your plate.

Alphabetically or in Korean order Food list games are also great. They expose you to a variety of foods while studying, and they also reduce anxiety, so it's a win-win!

2) A child who is picky about one food

If your child insists on eating a particular food, first determine what it is. Do they prefer a particular taste or texture? Once you've identified the preferred form of food, you should slowly expand to other similar foods.

- Introduce foods with similar textures and tastes : If your child only likes crunchy crackers, you can try introducing crunchy vegetable or grain crackers, which have similar textures but are healthier.

Involve your child in food preparation : Help your child gradually become familiar with new ingredients and textures by selecting and preparing their favorite foods. Expand the range of ingredients to suit your child's preferences, such as changing the ingredients in kimbap, adding their favorite fruit to pancake mix or muffins, or chopping or frying various ingredients.

3) Children with motor problems and sensory sensitivity

Are you having difficulty eating due to sensory or motor issues? If your oral motor skills for chewing and swallowing are weak, you may prefer soft or easy-to-eat foods. You may also have difficulty tolerating textures due to sensory sensitivity, so pay close attention.

- Please do oral motor and occupational exercise training :

Please provide treatment that focuses on improving oral motor skills such as chewing, swallowing, and jaw strength through speech therapy.

Did you know that weak fine motor skills and difficulty maintaining posture can lead to refusal to eat? In such cases, occupational therapy can help improve fine motor skills and use of eating utensils, and it can also focus on addressing sensory sensitivities that affect eating.

- Help them get used to different sensations : Getting them used to different textures and tastes doesn't have to happen at mealtimes.

It is also very effective to expose your child to a variety of textures through tactile play activities outside of mealtimes.

Give your child a chance to play with a variety of foods, including pasta, tofu, acorn jelly, seaweed, flour, fruit, and yogurt!

4) Children with physical health problems

Children's physical health, such as gastrointestinal (GI) issues or digestive problems, can significantly impact their eating habits. If your child regularly experiences issues like constipation, acid reflux, or abdominal pain, their refusal to eat certain foods may be related to these issues.

Keep a food diary : Does your child display aggression or become constipated after eating certain foods, even though they can't speak? If so, find high-fiber foods that your child can eat to prevent constipation and encourage them to drink plenty of water.

Prepare small, frequent meals : This can be crucial to help your child feel comfortable. While you'll need to consult with a professional for more detailed menu planning, provide your child with small portions of specific nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, etc.) to help prevent stomach upset. It's important to continually monitor your child's health and develop a meal plan.

 

Addressing eating problems often involves a complex mix of factors. Furthermore, because children don't change easily, consistent and consistent efforts may be necessary.

ABA techniques, sensory and motor interventions, and an individualized approach that considers physical health issues can help your child develop healthy eating habits and improve their quality of life. We encourage you to comprehensively assess your child's difficulties and develop solutions.